Allison Lampert, David Shepardson

(Reuters) – European airlines have to balance privacy and foreign immunization requirements. More countries are requiring that flight crews be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Canada will be removing an exemption that permitted entry to unvaccinated foreign crews on January 15, joining other countries that require vaccinations for passengers and pilots.

European carriers are now facing a problem because of strict European data protection laws. They are therefore unable to inquire about their employees’ vaccination status.

Jennifer Janzen, A4E spokesperson, stated via email that carriers will have to come up with workarounds to meet the Canadian entry requirements.

United Airlines, a U.S. carrier, requires that all cabin crew members be fully vaccinated. Southwest Airlines (NYSE) and American Airlines (NASDAQ) are allowing employees to delay the date for vaccines.

The COVID-19 travel bans and restrictions have caused severe losses for airlines. They blame a variety of rules that are constantly changing for more red tape and a lower demand for international travel.

Crew members will be required to inoculate more often as Omicron is spreading rapidly and forces countries to tighten borders restrictions.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines stated in a statement that “We now notice that more and more nations are mandating, or considering immunization for flight crews.”

This carrier identified about 10 destinations with intercontinental flights where crew members are not exempted by vaccines.

According to a spokesperson from Germany’s Lufthansa AG, (DE:), international flights won’t be possible without proof of vaccination.

Canada demanded that residents not leave on Wednesday due to Omicron. Canada is expected to announce Friday that people who return from short overseas trips will have to pass a COVID-19 negative test.

Some countries grant foreign pilots exemption from the vaccination requirements for international travellers, which is recommended by U.N. aviation agency.

The United States does not require that international flight crews be immunized.

Transport Canada announced that they are working closely with the public health authorities to address international aviation crew’s vaccination needs.

KLM does NOT require crewmembers to have their immunization status shared. Employees must request a travel restriction so that they do not fly to any destination where they don’t meet entry requirements.

The airline stated in an emailed statement that managers do not have access to the reasons for the restriction. This is how we will continue to fulfill the rosters and make our operation viable.